I am not an expert in an online security, but I do aware of its danger, especially for a blogger like us who are in the need of using a social platform such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. It is not our problem to deal with this issue because obviously we have done nothing to harass others, or involved in risky activities. Yet, 'you will never know' what others are thinking. Behind, the online world is another story. Social media can be real, or fake, we know the purposes of using it, but we don't know what is the reason behind other accounts. I have heard cases when bloggers got hacked by someone they didn't not even know. It sounds like nobody's business, but it is still important to protect our privacy online too. Here are 6 methods I have been applied to my own social media.
1.) PROVIDE EMAIL ADDRESS ON INSTAGRAM MAY NOT BE A GOOD IDEA
I understand that providing email on Instagram can be very handy for the PR to contact us, but it can be dangerous at the same time. I used to put my email address on my profile, but I have decided to delete it when I was told that 'others can track your information, location, and everything from just one email address' Instead, I have written 'For work, please contact via email' as potentially those who visit The Equinox Fashion Instagram's profile and want to get in touch, can look up my email address on my website. The guideline about privacy and safety on Instagram is clear, and you may want to read it for more information.
2.) CHANGE THE PASSWORD REGULARLY
Think this way, if someone knows our password (though we have no idea who knows) they can access everything including email, or even other social media accounts.
So, if we keep updating the 'strong password' then at least we can prevent this situation before it occurs. Remember cache, spam, and some viruses that can hack our information from just one password.
3.) LINK THE PLATFORMS ALTOGETHER IS A RISK
I have never come across anyone who has a problem of syncing Facebook, Instagram and Twitter altogether, but personally I have always thought that it is quite risky. I know it is convenient to update everything in just one click, instead of logging in each platform again and again, but have a second thought about the problem that may happen. I don't know how, but I believe that if one of the channels get hacked (let say Facebook), then what will take it so long to hack Instagram after? As mentioned above, changing the password constantly may be able to protect the accounts.
4.) NEVER CHECK IN THE LOCATION
For Facebook, it is fine as long as it is our own private account, but for the public account like Instagram, checking in the location can allow others to track where we are. I know this is not like a big serious issue for any of us, but think about those with 100K followers, they have fans, followers who may want to know where they are. You know there are normal fans, and those who obsess with the celebrities. They follow, and sometimes, it can be disturbing.
5.) THINK BEFORE POSTING
Remember, there is no secret once it goes online. Everything we post on either Instagram or Facebook is automatically shared with millions of the users. Being sexy is alright, but it has to be limited (it is up to you!). Actually, it is fine to share whatever we want on social media, but what if there are some creepy users out there? One of my high school friends had a creepy stalker who followed her, and even knew where she lived. SCARY AF!
6.) USE DIFFERENT EMAILS
For The Equinox Fashion, and its social media, I have used different emails. I mean, the accounts of this blog, and social platforms such as Instagram and Facebook are signed up differently. Why ? Just in case, if I come across the problem of the Twitter, it will not affect my other accounts.
Like I said, these are the only methods I have used for my own protection since I feel like the online sphere can be uncertainty. It is better to aware of what is going on and keep the accounts safe instead of regretting later.
